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Principals Matter

A Guide to School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Edited by:

Mavis G. Sanders - University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA, The Johns Hopkins University

'Addresses specific populations that are often alienated by schools: fathers, parents of children with disabilities, and families of poverty. It provides a good overview of key research on the topic of family involvement in schools, its impact, and practices for obtaining involvement'

—William Ruff, Assistant Professor

Montana State University

'An excellent book. Each chapter opens with relevant research and presents suggestions for practical applications. I would buy this book for a task force or professional learning community'

—Julie C. Burger, Principal

Frederick Leighton Elementary School, Oswego, NY

Research has shown that strong principal leadership is critical to developing effective school partnerships that include diverse school, family and community members. This book provides administrators with a clear road map for initiating partnership programs that are goal-focused, equitable, and sustainable.

In this research-based resource, the authors highlight the work of principals who have cultivated successful partnerships across many settings to show other school leaders how they can develop the necessary supportive school cultures. Examining the administrator's role in the success and quality of home-school partnerships and student outcomes, this guidebook:

- Synthesizes research on principal leadership, school and community partnerships, and urban education reform

- Discusses the role of fathers in children's learning and working with families that live in poverty, are linguistically diverse, or have children with disabilities

- Offers practical recommendations for evaluating and refining partnership programs to ensure they are linked with student achievement goals.

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Introduction: Standards for School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Part I. Laying the Foundation

1. Policy, Theory, and Research on School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Partnerships and Academic Outcomes

Partnerships and Nonacademic Outcomes

Why This Matters for Principals

Reflection Questions

2. Reculturing Schools for School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Schools as Community Institutions

Developing a Coordinated Program of School, Family, Community Partnerships

Principal Leadership and School Outcomes

Obstacles to Effective School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Steps Toward Recultured Schools

Why This Matters for Principals

Reflection Questions

Part II. Responding to Diversity

3. Fathers and School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Why Fathers Matter

Father Demographics

The Role of Fathers

Guidelines for Developing Partnership Efforts to Involve Fathers

Why This Matters for Principals

Reflection Questions

4. Families of Children With Disabilities and School, Family, and Community Partnerships

IDEA and Children With Special Needs

District and School Outreach to Families of Children With Disabilities

Specific Needs and Experiences of Families of Children With Disabilities

Engagement Strategies for the Families of Children With Disabilities

Creating Inclusive Environments for Special Needs Populations

Why This Matters for Principals

Reflection Questions

5. Linguistically Diverse Families and School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Growth in Immigration and Limited English Proficient Students and Families

LEP Students and Families

LEP Students and NCLB

Strategies to Facilitate the Involvement of LEP Families

Culturally Intelligent Principal Leadership

Why This Matters for Principals

Reflection Questions

6. Families Living in Poverty and School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Challenges Faced by Low-Income Families

Avoiding a Deficit Perspective

A Collaborative Approach

Why This Matters for Principals

Reflection Questions

Part III. Maximizing Outcomes

7. Evaluating Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Planning an Evaluation

Collecting Data

Presenting the Findings

Why This Matters for Principals

Reflection Questions

Concluding Thoughts

References

Index

"The book provides a vast overview of the many key aspects of partnerships between schools, families, and communities grounded in data and research that illustrates the positive impact that strong stakeholder partnerships have on student achievement. The examples, vignettes, and stories provide rich material to illuminate the points addressed."

Belinda Gimbert, Assistant Professor

The Ohio State University

"An excellent book. Each chapter opens with relevant research and presents suggestions for practical applications. As a principal, I would buy this book for a task force or professional learning community."

Julie C. Burger, Principal

Frederick Leighton Elementary School, Oswego, NY

"There is so much valuable information in this book that any administrator, regardless of experience, can gain huge benefits from reading it and putting into effect many of the suggested activities and programs."

Marian Hermie, Clinical Associate Professor

Arizona State University

"What sets this book apart from other school and community source books is that it addresses specific populations that are often alienated by schools: fathers, parents of children with disabilities, and families of poverty. It provides a good overview of key research on the topic of family involvement in schools, its impact, and practices for obtaining involvement."